Your Questions Answered - SMI update 10/20
#46
Join Date: May 2008
Programs: DL AA UA
Posts: 2,359
First, thanks for posting the link to DL's official response to the DTW flight incident earlier.
Can you give us another SMI update in regards to the SkyMiles program? There have been major changes to other FFer programs and I am hoping that DL is considering taking similar measures. If, as has been stated, FT posts are valued and monitored by DL, then it would be valuable to some here to let us know DLs thoughts on issues discussed here. I realize that some things cannot be shared in an open forum, however, could you at least fill us in on those things that you are free to discuss or at least try to get permission to discuss more? Thanks so much.
Can you give us another SMI update in regards to the SkyMiles program? There have been major changes to other FFer programs and I am hoping that DL is considering taking similar measures. If, as has been stated, FT posts are valued and monitored by DL, then it would be valuable to some here to let us know DLs thoughts on issues discussed here. I realize that some things cannot be shared in an open forum, however, could you at least fill us in on those things that you are free to discuss or at least try to get permission to discuss more? Thanks so much.
#47
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Oct 2005
Location: Ponte Vedra Beach, FL
Programs: DL PM, HH Diamond, Fairmont Prem, SPG Gold, Priority Club Plat/IC Amb, AmEx Plat
Posts: 10,839
Can you give us another SMI update in regards to the SkyMiles program? There have been major changes to other FFer programs and I am hoping that DL is considering taking similar measures. If, as has been stated, FT posts are valued and monitored by DL, then it would be valuable to some here to let us know DLs thoughts on issues discussed here. I realize that some things cannot be shared in an open forum, however, could you at least fill us in on those things that you are free to discuss or at least try to get permission to discuss more? Thanks so much.
#48
Join Date: Aug 1999
Location: Alexandria, VA, USA NW Platinum Elite Since 1999, United GoldMM, Hyatt Plat, SPG Gold, Hilton Gold, Hertz #1 Gold, IC Ambassador, Avis Chairman's
Posts: 7,445
well... SMI was suppose to be on vacation this weekend, that is until all he'll broke loose with this incident. Give SMI a little time to come up for air and I think you question will be answered.
#49
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jun 2008
Programs: Formaldehyde Medallion DL DieMiles
Posts: 12,646
So far, all he has done is fail to satisfy the heightened expectations that came out of all the fluff posted here by those returning from the RWT DO.
After removing all of the self-serving PR spin, the amount of real, useful information that he has posted here would not fill a metaphorical thimble.
But, we are supposed to get by on that since some of you found him to be "personable."
#50
Join Date: Dec 2005
Location: LRM
Programs: UA/DL plat to AA
Posts: 525
When changes were announced to the UA program, a UA insider posted on FT. When changes happen to the CO program, an insider posts. Starwood, same. etc.
Here....Not so much.
I'm sure there are a few other programs with no insider presence, but I suspect those are in the minority.
At DL we have an insider that posts PR, then leaves. We seem to be left to answer the age old question: is it better to have a girlfriend that only pretends to love you, or no girlfriend at all?
Here....Not so much.
I'm sure there are a few other programs with no insider presence, but I suspect those are in the minority.
At DL we have an insider that posts PR, then leaves. We seem to be left to answer the age old question: is it better to have a girlfriend that only pretends to love you, or no girlfriend at all?
#51
Join Date: Apr 2005
Location: LAX, SFO
Programs: Delta GM, Lifetime Marriott Platinum, Avis Preferred
Posts: 1,634
When changes were announced to the UA program, a UA insider posted on FT. When changes happen to the CO program, an insider posts. Starwood, same. etc.
Here....Not so much.
I'm sure there are a few other programs with no insider presence, but I suspect those are in the minority.
At DL we have an insider that posts PR, then leaves. We seem to be left to answer the age old question: is it better to have a girlfriend that only pretends to love you, or no girlfriend at all?
Here....Not so much.
I'm sure there are a few other programs with no insider presence, but I suspect those are in the minority.
At DL we have an insider that posts PR, then leaves. We seem to be left to answer the age old question: is it better to have a girlfriend that only pretends to love you, or no girlfriend at all?
#52
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Aug 2004
Location: The best state in the USA - Florida!
Programs: Marriott Titanium/LT Plat, AS MVP75K, AA PlatPro, UA Premier, Disney AP
Posts: 14,497
Much as thezipper mentions, I'm willing to give SMI some time on this issue that we're concerned about...he's been on vacation for the past week (and hopefully hasn't been on FT during said time!) and when he's been on the past couple of weeks, it appears there's been a lot of media requests coming his way (and keep in mind his primary job is not posting on FT...)
#53
Company Representative - Delta Air Lines
Original Poster
Join Date: Jul 2009
Location: Atlanta, GA
Programs: SkyMiles
Posts: 351
Much as thezipper mentions, I'm willing to give SMI some time on this issue that we're concerned about...he's been on vacation for the past week (and hopefully hasn't been on FT during said time!) and when he's been on the past couple of weeks, it appears there's been a lot of media requests coming his way (and keep in mind his primary job is not posting on FT...)
With respect to some of the more specific items and questions: as much as I would like to respond to everything, it simply isn't physically possible. With the new year, my hope is that you see more posting from SMI but understand that it is largely a function of the number of hours in the day.
SkyMilesInsider
#54
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Mar 2004
Location: Under an ORD approach path
Programs: DL PM, MM. Coffee isn't a drug, it's a vitamin.
Posts: 12,935
With the new year, Delta will be transitioning you to a new office on board WiFi equipped 767s, flying westbound. You will continually circle the globe, crossing time zone borders every couple of hours, and, factoring in flight connections (and consequent ground time) you will have between 30 and 32 hours in every day. That should help you in Delta's plan to answer all questions posted on FT.
#55
FlyerTalk Evangelist & Ambassador: China
Join Date: Aug 2005
Location: DEN
Programs: DL DM/MM, UA 1K, AA Exp, HH Dia, WOH Glob, IHG Plat, Marriott Gold, NA EE, Hertz PC
Posts: 17,423
Thanks mersk862 - I appreciate the stepping in on this one. Vacation or no, I still monitor FT daily and forward items of interest where I am able to as I see them or have them called to my attention by the moderators. As I have mentioned several times before, I monitor very frequently. That said, I admit that posting has lapsed a bit due to the needs of my primary responsibilities lately, but please don't assume that I'm not here just because you don't see postings.
With respect to some of the more specific items and questions: as much as I would like to respond to everything, it simply isn't physically possible. With the new year, my hope is that you see more posting from SMI but understand that it is largely a function of the number of hours in the day.
SkyMilesInsider
With respect to some of the more specific items and questions: as much as I would like to respond to everything, it simply isn't physically possible. With the new year, my hope is that you see more posting from SMI but understand that it is largely a function of the number of hours in the day.
SkyMilesInsider
We look forward to more posts in 2010.
#56
Join Date: Apr 2005
Location: LAX, SFO
Programs: Delta GM, Lifetime Marriott Platinum, Avis Preferred
Posts: 1,634
Thanks mersk862 - I appreciate the stepping in on this one. Vacation or no, I still monitor FT daily and forward items of interest where I am able to as I see them or have them called to my attention by the moderators. As I have mentioned several times before, I monitor very frequently. That said, I admit that posting has lapsed a bit due to the needs of my primary responsibilities lately, but please don't assume that I'm not here just because you don't see postings.
With respect to some of the more specific items and questions: as much as I would like to respond to everything, it simply isn't physically possible. With the new year, my hope is that you see more posting from SMI but understand that it is largely a function of the number of hours in the day.
SkyMilesInsider
With respect to some of the more specific items and questions: as much as I would like to respond to everything, it simply isn't physically possible. With the new year, my hope is that you see more posting from SMI but understand that it is largely a function of the number of hours in the day.
SkyMilesInsider
#57
Join Date: Apr 2001
Location: NC, USA
Programs: AA Gold 1MM, AA Exec Plat, Marriott Lifetime Plat, Hilton Diamond, Hyatt Globalist
Posts: 1,012
I thought I would bump this thread since it's nearly three WEEKS old with no additional comments/answers.
SkymilesInsider, here's a question that you should be able to answer immediately. Is Delta planning a change so that passengers that book tickets using DBC and/or plain old ecredits will not earn redeemable miles and/or MQMs on those flights??
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/delta...n-mileage.html
Please answer as soon as possible. It should be just a yes or no answer.
Thank you.
SkymilesInsider, here's a question that you should be able to answer immediately. Is Delta planning a change so that passengers that book tickets using DBC and/or plain old ecredits will not earn redeemable miles and/or MQMs on those flights??
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/delta...n-mileage.html
Please answer as soon as possible. It should be just a yes or no answer.
Thank you.
#58
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Sep 2005
Location: MN
Programs: Lots of programs, dirt on all of them!
Posts: 11,938
I thought I would bump this thread since it's nearly three WEEKS old with no additional comments/answers.
SkymilesInsider, here's a question that you should be able to answer immediately. Is Delta planning a change so that passengers that book tickets using DBC and/or plain old ecredits will not earn redeemable miles and/or MQMs on those flights??
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/delta...n-mileage.html
Please answer as soon as possible. It should be just a yes or no answer.
Thank you.
SkymilesInsider, here's a question that you should be able to answer immediately. Is Delta planning a change so that passengers that book tickets using DBC and/or plain old ecredits will not earn redeemable miles and/or MQMs on those flights??
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/delta...n-mileage.html
Please answer as soon as possible. It should be just a yes or no answer.
Thank you.
#59
Join Date: May 2008
Programs: DL AA UA
Posts: 2,359
My fear is that they may see this glitch as an opportunity. Similarly, I don't believe they intended to have a broken award calendar, but since it happened, and has served to limit some awards, I do believe they were opportunistic and decided (I would assert wrongly so) that it may be in their best interests to drag their feet on fixing it.
#60
Suspended
Join Date: Nov 2003
Location: Tucson, AZ, USA. UA 1K, reluctant but * best in class * DL FO/MM. Former BA jumpseat rider and scourge of Dilbertian management and apologists. As LX might - and do - say: "....an experienced frequent flyer of international airlines"
Posts: 3,386
My fear is that they may see this glitch as an opportunity. Similarly, I don't believe they intended to have a broken award calendar, but since it happened, and has served to limit some awards, I do believe they were opportunistic and decided (I would assert wrongly so) that it may be in their best interests to drag their feet on fixing it.
However, the dysfunctionality has been exacerbated by recent "enhancements" that are much more likely to be deliberative; e.g. 225k for J from NRT to SIN as you well know. This is so outrageous it's literally incredible; all other competing airlines, all, offer much better redemptions than this. More than seven times better. As did NW when it existed.
It's quite clear to me from my reading of the DL board that several years ago, it wasn't anything like this bad. I doubt DL.COM was ever as good as NWA.COM for award bookings, but the gap wasn't what we've seen recently - which is the gap between the Earth and the moon.
And it now results in the situation we see here. Where DL's award booking system can only ironically and with loud laughter be called :-: best in class :-:
The fact that they very clearly know this tells you it is now viewed as a liability minimization philosophy. Mint as many SM as possible and sell them to AmEx to bail the ship as they go along.
They're laughing at their DM and PM pax trying to use the award tool to book. But only as long as they continue to believe in the COI...
The most effective strategy, by far, for dealing with this is not to talk with DL at all. It is to:
Switch all CC spend away from AMEX. Hopefully, a large amount.
Close AMEX account.
Write AMEX and make it crystal clear that the driving reason for doing so is the irredeemability of SkyMiles compared with the competition and the attraction of the UA MP Visa, the COPPMC, the BA EC Visa, whatever it may be.
Last edited by redtailshark; Jan 15, 2010 at 1:59 pm Reason: Syntax